Spectacle lens mounting



F Z 1948- J. J. ROHRBACH 2,436,606

S'PECTAC'LE LENS MOUNTING Filed April 26, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR ATTORNEY Feb. 24, 1948. J, J. ROHRBACH 2,436,606

' SIfECTACLE LENS MOUNTING Filed April 26, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. II

-,. FIG. I2

|NVENTOR John J Pohrbach ATTORNEY Feb. 24, 1948. J. J. ROHRBACH ,4

SPECTACLE LENS MOUNTING Filed April 26, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR I John J Po/zrbac/v mfg z;

ATTORNEY Feb. 24, 1948. J, RQHRBACH 2,436,606

SPECTACLE LENS MOUNTING Filed April 26, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Jo/m J. lea/mm,

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 24, 1943 SPECTACLE LENS MOUNTING 3 John J.- Rohrbach, Rochester, N. Y. ,'assignor to Shuron Optical Company, Inc., Geneva, N. Y., a corporation oi New York Application April 26, 1945, Serial No. 590,468

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in ophthalmic mountings, and is directed more specifically to top arm spectacles made of zylonite or the like.

This invention constitutes an improvement upon the disclosure of Rochte- United States Patent 2,301,328, in that it adapts the pivoted strap lens supporting arrangement of the Rochte patent to zylonite top arm or semi-rimless spectacles.

The principal object of my invention is to provide top arm spectacles "made of zylonite or the like and having pivoted strap lens supports incorporated therein in a particularly simple and efi'ective manner.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a pair of spectacles embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof, parts of the temples being broken away;

Figure 3 is a top plan view similar to Figure 2, but showing the spectacles ina distorted position such as may be produced in putting them on or removing them from the face;

Figure 4 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a metal blank used in forming a pivoted strap;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a strap and staple assembly prior to incorporation in the spectacles;

Figure 6 is a detail view taken on the line 6 -6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a front view of a pair of spectacles embodying a modified form of my invention;

Figure 8 is a top plan view thereof;

Figure 9 is a detail view taken on the line 3-9 of Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a vertical section taken on the line ill-i0 of Figure 7;

Figure 11 is a top plan exploded view of the two parts of the temple hinge shown in Figure 8:

Figure 12 is a side elevational exploded view of Figure 18 is a vertical section taken on the line I8|B of Figure 15;

Figure 19 is a front view of a pair of spectacles embodying a further modification of my inven-- tlon;

Figure 20 is a top plan view thereof Figure 21 is a detail view taken on the line ll-2i of Figure 19; and

Figure 22 is a vertical section taken on the line 22-22 of Figure 19.

Referring first to'the modification shown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, of the drawings, the spectacles 3110f my invention comprise aspectacle front 3!, made of zylonite or like plastic material, connected by hinges 32, which may be of conventional construction, to temples 33. The spectacles 30 are of the general type known as top arm or semi-rimless spectacles. The spectacle front 3| comprises a bridge portion 34, top arm portions 35, nose pads 36 and endpiece portions 31, all preferably formed integrally from the plastic material. i

The lenses 38 of the spectacles 30 are shown as located in front of and slightly overlapping the spectacle front 3|. Each lens 38 is suspended from the spectacle front 3| at two spaced points by a pair of pivoting lens strap assemblies 39, one of each pair of these assemblies 39 being secured to the bridge portion 34 and the other to an endpiece portion 31 of the front 3|.

As best shown in Figures 5 and 6, each strap assembly 39 comprises a looped metal strap 40 pivoted on the head of a staple ti and provided with ears 42 having apertures 43 through which projects a lens screw 44. The strap 42 ,may be,

formed to the shape shown in Figures 5 and 6 from a flat metal blank 45, shown in Figure 4, which blank may be stamped and punched to the contour illustrated in a single operation. A loop 46 is made in the strap 40 during the forming operation, and the strap is assembled on the staple M, prior to assembling the staple in the spectacle front, so that this loop is free to pivot about the circular head of the staple. The legs of the staple 4| may be provided with corrugations M, as shown in Figurefi, to secure the staple more firmly in place in the plastic material of the spectacle front 3i. The legs of the staple are inserted in holes in the plastic material of the spectacle front, and may extend entirely through the plastic material, in which case the outer ends of the-legs are preferaby peened to form smooth heads 48, as shown in Figure 6. Alternatively or additionally, the staples 4! may be secured in place by cementing or by pressing or acsaeoa cut 2,332,160. It will be understood, however,

that any other suitable means of securing the lenses 38 to the cars 42 could be employed. It will likewise be understood that the mounting as sold by the manufacturer does not usually include any lenses, but does include all of the other parts above described, and that the lenses are affixed by the optician.

The lens straps 40 may advantageously be made of somewhat resilient material and, after the forming operation, the ears 42 may be left slight- 1y spaced apart. By so doing, when the lens screw and strap assembly is tightened to the position shown in Figure 8, the ears 42 act as spring lock washers to prevent loosening of the nut 5|. At the same time, the loop 46 is left sufilciently loose on the head of the staple so that it may readily pivot thereon.

By virtue of the pivoted connection between the strap 40 and the head of the staple 4|, the lenses are suspended from the spectacle front in a freely floating manner. Any strain or distortion in the mounting, therefore, is not transmitted to the lenses. This is shown clearly in Figure 3, in which the spectacles 30 are shown in a severely distorted position which they would assume when the temples are spread outward a considerable distance. It will 'be observed in Figure 3 that the lenses 38 simply ride forward of the spectacle front and that, therefore, the lenses are free from the strain induced in the spectacle front by the distortion.

In the modification shown in Figures 7 to 14, inclusive, the same general principles of construction are followed, but the staples project rearward, instead of forward, from the spectacle front, and the lenses are suspended directly under the spectacle front. The spectacles 10 of these figures comprise a spectacle front ll, hinges l2 and temples 13. As before the spectacle front has a bridge portion 14, top arm portions I5, nose pads 16, and endpiece portions 'il, all preferably integrally formed of plastic material such as zylonite.

The lenses 18 of the spectacles 10 are suspended from the spectacle front II at two spaced points by a pair of pivoting lens strap assemblies 19,

one of each pair of these assemblies 19 being se-.

cured to the bridge portion I4 and the other to an endpiece portion ll of the front 1|. As shown in Figure 9, the strap assemblies 19 are identical to the assemblies 30 of the first modification, differing only in their position. The assemblies 19 have the heads of the staples 4| positioned at the rear of the spectacle front 1|, with the legs of the staples extending from the back to the front through the plastic material of the spectacle front. The lenses (8 are thus suspended directly beneath the spectacle front I l, as shown most clearly in Figure 10, but, as before, they are free to move with respect to the spectacle front by virtue of the pivoted connection between the straps 40 and the staples 4|, when the spectacle front is distorted.

The endpiece portions 11, for reasons of appearance, are curved rearward, and this requires a special construction of the hinges 12. As shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13, each hinge 12 comprises a hinge member 80 having a curved extension 8|, a hinge member 82 having a straight extension -83, and a pintle 84. The extension BI is secured to the inside of the curved endpiece portion H by a staple 85 having a decorative head 80, the ends of the legs of the staple 85 being riveted in holes provided in the extension 8|. Similarly, the extension 83 is secured to the inside of the temple 13 by a staple 81 having a decorative head 88.

Figure 14 shows a modified form of strap 90 which may be substituted for the strap 40 of Figures 1 to 6. The strap 90 is formed and shaped similarly to the strap 40, except that it has a washer 9| soldered to the outside of one of its ears 92. The washer 9| is then tapped as shown at 93 to accommodate the lens screw. The nut 5| of Figure 6 then becomes unnecessary. In order to use such a modified strap in the .construction of Figures 7 to 10, it would be necessary to solder the washer 0| on the outside of the other ear 92, as will be apparent upon comparing Figure 6 with Figure 9.

Figures 15 to 18 show a modified spectacle construction generally resembling that of Figures 1 to 6, except that the spectacle front is recessed so that the lenses are suspended partly under and partly in front of the top arms of the spectacle front. In Figures 15 to 18, the spectacles |00 comprise a spectacle front |0I, hinges I02 and temples I03. The spectacle front, in turn, comprises a bridge portion I04, top arm portions I05, nose pads I06 and endpiece portions I01.

The lenses I08 of the spectacles I00 are suspended in the same manner as before by pivoting lens strap assemblies I09 which are identical to those of Figures 1 to 6 except that the staple legs are somewhat shorter. The staple legs are shortened because they have less material to pass through, by reason of the recessing of the spectacle front as shown at 0 in Figures 17 and 18. The operation of the modification shown in Figures 15 to 18 is the same as already described.

Figures 19 to 22 disclose still another modification, which differs from all of those previously described in that the staples are located in the general medial plane of the spectacle front. rather than transversely thereof as heretofore. In Figures 19 to 22, the spectacles I20 again comprise a spectacle front |2i, hinges |22 and temples |23. The spectacle front comprises a bridge portion I24, top arm portions I25, nose pads I26 and endpiece portions I21, all preferably formed, as before, integrally from zylonite or like plastic material. Each of the lenses I28 is pivotally suspended at two spaced points by pivoting lens strap assemblies I29 which may be identical to those previously described, except as respects position.

As shown most clearly in Figures 19 and 21, the legs of the staples 4| project endwise into the plastic material of the spectacle front, and hence these staples lie in the general medial plane of the spectacle front |2|. By proper positioning of these staples, as shown in Figures 21 and 22, the lenses I28 are suspended directly beneath the top arms |25.

In order to provide greater clearance for free movement of the lenses I28 with respect to the spectacle front |2I, by pivotal movement of the strap assemblies I29 when the mounting is distorted, I preferably cut away or bevel the poransaeoc .modiiications, the legs of the staple 4i. fit fairly= closely on either side of the loop 46 of the strap 40. Vertical displacement of the strap 40 is thereby prevented, but nevertheless, a slight amount of play in a vertical direction is permitted, which is beneficial in relieving the lenses of any strain which might'otherwise be occasioned by slight inaccuracy in mounting.

It will also be observed that in each of the foregoing modifications, the staple constitutes a pintle member on which the lens strap is pivoted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, the round head of the staple being the journal portion of the pintle member, and the legs of the staple. serving the double purpose of limiting vertical movement of the lens strap on the journal portion and of securing the pintle member to the plastic body of the ophthalmic mounting.

Although I have thus described my invention in considerable detail in the best forms of which I am aware, in accordance with the patent statutes, it will be evident that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in'the art without departing from the spirit of my invention. For example, the spectacle front need not be made wholly of plastic material, but may be re-enforced with metal, as already known in this art. Accordingly, I desire to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

.1. A semi-rimless ophthalmic mounting comprising a bridge, top arms and endpieces made at least in part of plastic material, four substantially U-shaped staples'hav'ing their legs extending into said plastic material, said staples being located at spaced points appropriate for connection to the opposite sides of a pair of lenses to be supported from said staples, the head of each of said staples constituting a substantially vertical journal portion, and a lens strap pivotally mounted on each of said journal portions, said constituting a substantially vertical journal portion, and a lens strap pivotally mounted on each of'said journal portions, said lens straps each' embodying a loop surrounding said journal portion and said staple legs serving tolimit vertical movement of said loops on said journal portions.

-3. A' semi-rimless ophthalmic mounting comprising a bridge, top armsand endpieces made at least in part of plastic material, four substantially U -shaped staples having their legs extending into said plastic material and lying substantially in the medial plane of said mounting, said staples being located at spaced points appropriate for connection to the opposite sides of .a pair of lenses to be supported from said staples, the head of each of said staples constituting a substantially vertical journal portion, and a lens strap pivotally mounted on each of said journal portions, said staple legs serving to limit vertical movement of said lens straps on said journal portions, whereby said lenses are suspended substantially under said top arms and are free to move about said journal portions when said mounting is distorted.

4. A semi-rimless ophthalmic mounting comprising a bridge, top arms and endpieces made at least in part of plastic material, {our substantially U-shaped staples having their legs extending into said plastic material and lying substantially in the medial plane of said mounting, said staples being located at each side of said bridge and at each endpiece, the head of each of said staples constituting a substantially vertical journal portion, and a lens strap pivotally mounted on each of said journal portions, said lens straps each embodying a loop surrounding said journal portion and said staple legs serving to limit vertially in the medial plane of said mounting, said 1 staples being located at each side of said bridge and at each endpiece, the head of each of said staples constituting a substantially vertical journal portion, and a len strap pivotally mounted on each of said journal portions, said lens straps each embodying a loop surrounding said journal portion and said staple legs serving to limit vertical movement of said loops on said journal por tions, whereby lenses may be suspended substaning into and through said plastic material in a direction generally transverse to the medial plane of said mounting, the ends of said legs being peened where they project through said plastic material, said staples being located at spaced points appropriate for connection to the opposite sides of a pair of lenses to be supported from said staples, the head of each of said staples constituting a substantially vertical journal portion, and a lens strap pivotally mounted on each of said journal portions, said staple legs serving to limit vertical movement of said lens straps on said journal portions.

'7. A semi-rimless ophthalmic mounting comprising a bridge, top arms and endpieces made at least in part of plastic material, four substantially U-shaped staples having their legs extending .into and through said plastic material in a direction generally transverse to the medial plane of said mounting, the ends of said legs being peened where they project through said plastic material, said staples being located at each side of said bridge and at each endpiece, the head of 8 each 0! said staples constituting a substantially UNITE vertical Journal portion, and a. lens strap pivotally D STATES PATENTS mounted on each of said journal portions. said Number Name Date lens straps each embodying a loop surrounding 2, Rochte -4 Nov. 10, 1942 said Journal portion and'said staple legs serving 5 2,355,053 Carlson Aug, 8, 1944 to limit vertical movement of said loops on said 3 Rohrbach Aug. 29. 1944 Journal portions. $23,232 Rey Nov. 27, 1945 1 Gunning Sept. 30, 1924 JOHN ROHRBACH- 2,376,468 Wiseman May 22, 1945 REFERENCES CITED FOREIGN PATENTS The following refei'ences are of record in the Number Cum? Date file of this patent: 301,204 rance May 16, 1938 

